Adding estimate items from a cost database

  1. Within the Estimate, click the Estimate Items tab at the top.
  2. Click the Add / Import drop-down shown at the top right or click the plus sign (+) on a particular cost code section. The latter will automatically set the target cost code (see next step).
  3. Click the Add From Cost Database option.
  4. Navigate to the Target Cost Code and Location section.
  5. Select one of the options below.
    • Use Existing Cost Code
      • Select the Cost Code in the drop-down shown to the right.
    • Auto Populate Cost Code using Cost DB Item Classification
      1. Select the Master Cost Code Classification System in the drop-down shown to the right.
      2. Select the Cost Code Level (ex. Division, Major, Minor, Subminor, Lowest). The default setting will come from the Estimate Properties form but can be changed.
  6. Optional: If Locations have been enabled, select the Target Location from the drop-down.
  7. Navigate to the Cost Database section.
  8. Select Local (your own cost database within Sage Construction Management) or an RS Means database. The latter is a fee based addon. There are also some tips at the bottom on how to use RS Means.
  9. Select one of the options for the Item Type:
    • Labor Items
    • Equipment Items
    • Work Items (Default)
    • Crews
    • Assemblies
  10. Select one of the methods to filter the item list.
    • Text Search
      • Enter some text used as the filter. This will search code, description and manufacture fields.
    • Master Cost Code Classification System
      1. Click the Magnifying Glass icon to the right.
      2. In the popup form, select up to five 95) codes at any level by clicking the checkbox to the left.
      3. Click the Select button at the bottom.
  11. Click the Get Items button.
  12. Select the cost database item(s) in the grid by clicking the checkbox to the left.
  13. Optional: Enter the Quantity in the corresponding grid column. The default value is zero (0) which can be updated after the item(s) has been added to the estimate.
  14. Click the Add or Add and Close button in the footer. The former is used if additional items will be added to the Estimate but using a different filter method.

Important things to know about RSMeans unit cost databases

  • Unit costs are in the Work Items table.
  • Master Cost Code Classification Types:
    • 2018 - 2023 RS Means Cost Databases: CSI 2016
  • Selecting Code for Filtering: Drill-down to the lowest level possible (Minor or Subminor) since RS Means databases contain thousands of items.

Important things to know about RSMeans assembly cost databases

  • Unit costs, also referred to as assembly components, are in the Work Items table.
  • Assemblies are in the Work Assembly table.
  • Master Cost Code Classification Types for Assemblies: Uniformat
  • Selecting Code for Filtering: Drill-down to the lowest level possible (Minor or Subminor) since RS Means databases contain thousands of assemblies.